Plastic Bags

Suzanne DeChillo/The New York Times

News about plastic bags, including commentary and archival articles published in The New York Times.

Chronology of Coverage

Apr. 3, 2015

Arizona State Legislature passes bill to prevent state's cities and counties from regulating the use of plastic bags and other containers; law is polar opposite of measures in other states that have banned plastic bags for environmental reasons. MORE

Jan. 30, 2015

Hastings-on-Hudson, NY, is first municipality in New York region to ban both single-use plastic bags and foam food containers, joining coalition of about a dozen municipalities across the country; not all residents support ban. MORE

Nov. 20, 2014

New York City Council debates proposal to charge 10 cents for single-use plastic checkout bags; discussion centers on whether such bags present a true environmental problem or whether they are a harmless part of city life. MORE

Apr. 14, 2014

Letter from New York City Council Member James Vacca comments on April 8 editorial about bill before council that will limit the use of plastic bags at retail and grocery stores. MORE

Apr. 8, 2014

Editorial supports bill introduced by the New York City Council to limit the use of plastic grocery bags, which spend an eternity as all-but-indestructible trash; holds ten cent charge is a good start, but that city must ultimately find a way to rid itself of a bad habit that prizes convenience over litter and environmental damage. MORE

Feb. 26, 2014

California lawmakers are pushing for the first statewide ban on single-use plastic bags, which are seen as an environmental danger and a symbol of wastefulness; over 100 municipalities, including Los Angeles, have banned the bags since 2007, though changes have made some consumers bristle. MORE

Jun. 19, 2013

May. 19, 2013

News analysis; much of America seems more addicted to plastic bags than ever, whereas many countries and a handful of American cities have more or less done away with them; where they exist, bans and charges or taxes have been extremely successful in limiting their use, yet such measures are deeply unpopular in the United States. MORE

Sep. 29, 2012

Governments around the country are approving restrictions and fees on paper and plastic shopping bags in effort to encourage consumers to bring their own; rules, for many consumers, have become a pointed reminder about waste added at checkout aisle. MORE

Dec. 20, 2011

Seattle City Council votes unanimously to ban plastic grocery bags and charge 5-cent fee on paper bags; city tried a similar plan in 2008, but it was rejected by votes after it was forced onto a citywide ballot. MORE

Dec. 11, 2011

Totes, seemingly democratic and affordable, have replaced the luxury bag as a status symbol for the fashion forward; these humble cloth bags have become a must-have item that broadcasts the wearer is cultured. MORE

Nov. 28, 2011

Canadian yoga apparel retailer Lululemon Athletica is decorating its shopping bags with provocative quote--Who is John Galt?-- from Ayn Rand's book Atlas Shrugged; customers express diverse opinions about campaign. MORE

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